Rectal bleeding

[csf]

My daughter is 19 years old. Up to this point she has not had any problems with her bowels that I am aware of.  She just had her blood count checked and she gave blood.  Two days ago she had rectal bleeding after having diarrhea all day with no other symptoms. I am scared to death this is cancer. Can you tell me the odds of a 19 year old having colon cancer is?  She said it was just a little amount. She otherwise feels fine, but had diarrhea all day that day.  The only one in our families with colon cancer was her grandfather at age 69

Thanks
csf

[Kevin Pho, MD]

As surgeon has mentioned in his comments below, it is extremely unlikely that cancer is present in a 19 year old.  Viral gastroenteritis or hemorrhoids would be more likely causes.  I would have this evaluated by your physician, who can do an anoscopy at the office to see if there are any external hemorroids (hemorrhoids).  

If the rectal bleeding continues, a flexible sigmoidoscopy can be considered to evaluate for inflammatory bowel disease.  

Each of the aforementioned diseases would be more likely than colon cancer in this age group.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[surgeon]

the chance of a 19 year old having colorectal cancer is vanishingly small. Blood that occured after diarrhea all day is most likely due to irritation from all the passing and wiping. It's worth mentioning any such thing to her doctor; but it's nearly certain it's nothing serious, unless it becomes a recurring thing.

[cassiegrace101]

A related discussion, itchy was started.